Curt Schilling doesn’t have any patience for Internet trolls, and the New York Yankees don’t either.

The Yankees have fired a part-time ticket seller for sending inappropriate and vile tweets about Schilling’s daughter, Jason Zillo, the team’s director of communications, confirmed to NJ.com.

“We have zero tolerance for anything like this,” Zillo said of the seller, who was hired in January. “We’ve terminated him.”

The former Boston Red Sox pitcher received a number of inappropriate messages after he sent out a tweet Feb. 25 congratulating his daughter, Gabby, on committing to the Salve Regina softball team. Schilling addressed the vulgar tweets in a blog post he published, focusing on two individuals in particular, one of them being the recently-axed Yanks employee.

Schilling wanted to hold these individuals accountable for what they said, and he’s getting his wish. The other man the former hurler called out, Adam Nagel — a student at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J. — has been suspended by the school pending an official conduct review, NJ.com reports.

“The student has been summarily suspended and will be scheduled for a conduct hearing where further disciplinary action will be taken,” Brookdale said in a statement issued Tuesday. “The Brookdale Police are actively investigating this matter. Brookdale takes this behavior very seriously and does not tolerate any form of harassment.

“Our sincerest apologies to Gabby Schilling. Her achievement should be celebrated and not clouded by offensive comments.”

But while it’s easy to laugh at a pitching machine being a match for what looks like a pretty weak Yankees lineup, there’s a little more to the story than what’s on the surface.

“The pitching machine, known to some Yankees as ‘Iron Mike,’ was throwing fastballs at about 90 mph,” NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty wrote Monday. “It was behind fed at the mound from behind an L-screen by bullpen coach Gary Tuck, who occasionally bounced some in the dirt to keep catchers on their toes.”

Plus, it’s not very hard to strike out Young, who’s whiffed in 25 percent of his at-bats in his nine-year career.

But Boston Red Sox fans certainly can have fun with this one before the regular season starts.

Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: MLB, New York Yankees, Sam Galanis, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/03/alex-rodriguez-goes-0-for-2-against-pitching-machine-chris-young-strikes-out/feed/00MLB: New York Yankees-WorkoutnesnsgalanisHannah Davis, Derek Jeter’s Girlfriend, Golfs For First Time, Crushes It (Video)http://nesn.com/2015/02/derek-jeters-girlfriend-hannah-davis-golfs-for-first-time-crushes-it-video/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/derek-jeters-girlfriend-hannah-davis-golfs-for-first-time-crushes-it-video/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 23:05:08 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=448845]]>Apparently Derek Jeter has been teaching his girlfriend a thing or two about how to take a swing.

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Hannah Davis — who’s been dating the ex-New York Yankees shortstop for almost two years — recently tried her hand at golf, which some would argue can be more difficult than hitting a baseball.

The swing wasn’t pretty (might want to work on that balance, Hannah), but the result was pretty darn impressive.

Aaron, whose 755 career home runs rank second behind Barry Bonds’ 762 on MLB’s all-time list, admitted it won’t be an easy path back for A-Rod.

“I am very much anxious to see what he’s going to do,” Aaron said. “I wish him well, but I just don’t know. When you’re (away) from playing the game the whole year and go out and then have to face kids that are throwing 90 miles an hour, it’s a tough thing.”

Rodriguez hit just .244 in 44 games with seven homers and 19 RBIs during an injury-plagued 2013 campaign. He is the league’s active home run leader with 654 dingers.

Regardless of whether A-Rod finds success, however, Aaron says he harbors no ill will toward a man who repeatedly has used banned substances and is the closest of any current player to reaching Aaron’s home run total. Quite the opposite, in fact.

“If I wanted to go to the game and A-Rod was playing, I certainly would go to the game,” Aaron told NewsDay. “I’ve met A-Rod, and to be honest, between him and me, he’s been nothing but a friend to me. I liked him.”

Rodriguez’s unannounced touchdown at Yankees headquarters caught the team and its public relations staff by surprise. The media circus that is sure to follow Rodriguez everywhere for the rest of his career quickly descended upon the complex and made for another bizarre twist in the ongoing saga.

“He’s learned nothing,” a baseball executive told the New York Daily News. “He’s the same old guy. He just did what he wanted to do.”

Despite the Yankees’ annoyance, Rodriguez’s surprise arrival meant there were fewer media members than expected for his supposed Wednesday report date. According to the report, there were “only” 20 reporters at the Yankees’ minor-league complex, which is where A-Rod did his work Tuesday.

Even that work came with some controversy, though. A source told the Daily News that Rodriguez was just planning a workout, which is something he’s done before at the minor-league complex. However, the Yankees requested Rodriguez take his physical before getting on the field to do his work.

This is far from the last time we’ll hear of Rodriguez this spring, and it’s probably not the last time he’ll do something to annoy a large group of people.

TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez reported to the New York Yankees three days ahead of schedule. He spoke for eight and a half minutes about his season-long drug suspension.

But on his first day back with the team since September 2013, he never said why he resumed the use of performance-enhancing drugs, never explained what he did and avoided getting into any specifics.

“I cringe when I look at some of things I did,” Rodriguez said, surrounded by about 40 reporters on the sidewalk outside the Yankees minor league complex. “No mistake that I made has any good answer, no justification. It’s unexplainable, and that’s on me. I’ve dug a big hole for myself. Paid a price.”

New York asked him to hold a pre-spring training news conference at Yankee Stadium, but Rodriguez declined. The Yankees told them they didn’t want him holding one at Steinbrenner Field, where they felt it would be a distraction.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman say Chase Headley will be their starting third baseman, and Rodriguez will compete for at-bats at designated hitter.

Rodriguez called Headley an “excellent addition” to the team. Rodriguez did not take grounders at first base.

Asked whether he thought the Yankees’ organization was on his side, Rodriguez said he didn’t know.

“You’d have to ask them,” he responded. “I created a big headache for a lot of people. So, I don’t blame whoever is mad at me.”

When asked if at any point he would address specifics regarding his mistakes, Rodriguez answered: “Right now I’m just focused on making this team. Obviously, it was a rough year.”

He said he has no plans to address Yankees teammates as a group.

“I have a lot of good relationships in there,” Rodriguez said. “Stayed in touch with a lot of them. I feel welcomed back.”

Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 because the suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.

“I don’t know. … We’ll see,” Rodriguez said about his body holding up. “If I stay healthy, I can do good things.”

When asked what he would have done differently the past two years, Rodriguez responded by saying: “I don’t have time for that.”

Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: NESN Video, New York Yankees, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/02/alex-rodriguez-reports-to-yankees-spring-training-camp-three-days-early/feed/00MLB: New York Yankees-WorkoutnesnsgalanisGlove Used To Catch 1996 Derek Jeter ALCS Homer Sold For $22,705 At Auctionhttp://nesn.com/2015/02/glove-used-to-catch-1996-derek-jeter-homer-sold-for-22705-at-auction/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/glove-used-to-catch-1996-derek-jeter-homer-sold-for-22705-at-auction/#commentsSun, 22 Feb 2015 23:06:25 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=447468]]>

NEW YORK — The glove Jeffrey Maier used to pull Derek Jeter’s famous home run over the wall during the 1996 American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles has been sold at auction for $22,705.

Heritage Auctions says the glove was purchased by an anonymous collector Saturday night, with no mention of what the buyer plans to do with it. When Heritage announced the auction on Monday, it didn’t identify the owner, who it said had purchased the glove from Maier.

Maier was a 12-year-old fan in the right-field stands on Oct. 9, 1996, when he reached over the outfield fence at Yankee Stadium and got his glove on Jeter’s eighth-inning drive, preventing Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco from catching it.

Maier dragged the ball over the wall, fumbling it in the process, but umpire Rich Garcia declined to call fan interference.

Jeter was awarded a home run that tied Game 1 of the ALCS, and the Yankees won in 11 innings. Baltimore’s protest was denied by baseball’s ruling executive council and AL President Gene Budig.

New York went on to defeat the Orioles in five games and win the first of its four World Series titles in five years.

“Even to this day, almost 20 years after the fact, this glove still continues to elicit smiles from Yankees fans and curses from Orioles fans,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “It’s an innocuous enough little black leather Mizuno glove but it still inspires big emotions and commanded a big-time auction price.”

Alex Rodriguez hasn’t made many friends in his 20-year MLB career, but he still has at least one supporter in the Big Apple.

The troubled New York Yankees third baseman — or perhaps designated hitter? — will be back in pinstripes this season after a year-long PED suspension, and the 39-year-old already has received plenty of criticism. But New York radio analyst and notorious Yankees homer Suzyn Waldman doesn’t believe it’s deserved.

“I find him impossible to dislike,” Waldman told The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman on Thursday. “I’m not defending him. I think what he did was stupid more than anything else. I know he’s lied. He’s made every wrong decision. He says things and does things and you just want to say, ‘Why?’ I also know you can’t go wrong for dumping on Alex. This is what it’s become. What’s he supposed to do?”

In a contradictory statement, Waldman added that A-Rod was never well-liked, even before steroid allegations began to arise. She said he’ll need to be at the top of his game if he wants to change that.

“The way this offense is (coming into spring training) they better hope he still can play,” Waldman told Raissman. “Look, it’s not my job to psychoanalyze Alex. What I do, and sometimes don’t, understand is the anger directed at him. This just didn’t start with the steroids. His persona, for many people, has never been likeable.”

While it’s understandable that a Yankees analyst would stand up for one of the team’s players, Waldman’s opinion actually is a minority in New York these days. Just this week, the New York Post declared that A-Rod doesn’t deserve sympathy and that the fans don’t think there’s reason to believe the slugger’s apology.

But this also is the same person who said a lot of people cheered for A-Rod while he was mercilessly booed during his 2013 season debut, so perhaps we should take this hot take with a grain of salt.

The New York Yankees got a second look at one of the best players available right now.

The New York Post reported, via two sources, that the Yankees held a second workout for Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada on Wednesday in Florida. The paper reached out for comment from Moncada’s agent, David Hastings, regarding the private session, but he was not available.

According to the Post, the Yankees like what they see from Moncada — as evidenced by a second workout — but signing the 19-year-old won’t be easy. Moncada reportedly is looking for a $30 million signing bonus, which actually would cost the Yankees twice that because they’ve exceeded their international signing limits. The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly are willing to go to $40 million, according to the Post.

Moncada is considered a five-tool talent, and at his age, there’s obviously plenty of interest in a player of his potential. The Yankees, Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres also have reported interest.

Some talent evaluators have given the Cuban prospect lofty praise. One scout told The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo that Moncada has the potential to turn into a player like Chase Utley or Robinson Cano.

Filed under: NESN Video, New York Yankees, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/02/report-yankees-hold-second-private-workout-for-yoan-moncada-in-florida/feed/00Yoan MoncadanesnmcoleJay Z Confused David Wells For Curt Schilling At SNL40 Afterpartyhttp://nesn.com/2015/02/jay-z-confused-david-wells-for-curt-schilling-at-snl40-afterparty/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/jay-z-confused-david-wells-for-curt-schilling-at-snl40-afterparty/#commentsThu, 19 Feb 2015 15:00:22 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=446372]]>The only thing better than the “Saturday Night Live” 40th Anniversary Special might have been the SNL40 afterparty.

The biggest names in comedy, music and sports came together at the star-studded affair, and according to Jay Z, that outrageous list of celebrities included one former baseball player who most definitely was not in attendance. The rapper got his retired pitchers a little mixed up, as he confused former New York Yankees pitcher David Wells for former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.

Ex-Yankees pitcher David Cone was the lucky guy who witnessed Jay Z’s mix-up in action that included multiple questions about Schilling’s infamous “bloody sock” from Game 6 the 2004 American League Championship Series between the Red Sox and Yankees.

Funniest story of the afterparty was when Jay Z thought @BoomerWells33 was Curt Shilling
and asked him about bloody sock

The comedian has found a nice home for himself at ESPN where he’s been thrust into the spotlight for doing what he does best: impressions.

Caliendo made an appearance Wednesday on ESPN Radio’s “Mike And Mike In The Morning,” and naturally, he had to weigh in on Alex Rodriguez’s ridiculous handwritten apology. So host Mike Greenberg had Caliendo read A-Rod’s apology letter in the voice of Morgan Freeman with a couple of cameo appearances.

Alex Rodriguez said he was sorry, but it’s how he did it that has everyone talking.

The New York Yankees third baseman released a formal apology Tuesday, as he said he was sorry for all those performance-enhancing drugs and the ensuing lying. To prove how sorry and heartfelt he really is, Rodriguez did so in a handwritten letter.

The letter was written in cursive, and because this is 2015 and apparently there’s nothing better to do than break down someone’s handwriting, penmanship experts dug in and reached conclusions. One handwriting expert was pretty blunt when speaking to the Wall Street Journal.

“He writes like a girl,” certified master graphologist Paula A. Sassi said. “Feminine writing is more rounded, with a lot of connections, which he has throughout this. And a right slant. Masculine writing tends to be more angled, straight up and down, maybe printed.”

The writing also offers proof that, get this, A-Rod is kind of vain and ego-driven.

“The capital ‘I’s’ — that’s where you see the personal ego,” Sassi said. “This is probably what gets him into trouble. He has a very strong-willed, independent ego. They’re so large, and printed. That’s the kind of capital ‘I’ where you say they’re very independent, and strong-willed.”

Sassi continues, adding the way Rodriguez has “a higher hump on the third hump” of the letter “M,” means he’s “very self-conscious.”

The New York Yankees’ polarizing third baseman is ready to make his return to the spotlight, and he’s trying to get out in front of the media circus that is sure to follow. Rodriguez on Tuesday issued a formal apology to the baseball world for the events that led to his one-year suspension.

“I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season,” Rodriguez said in a handwritten letter released Tuesday afternoon. “I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be.”

Rodriguez also acknowledged the public backlash he’s faced in recent years, most of which came after he lied about his performance-enhancing drug use.

“I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point,” he wrote. “I understand why and that’s on me. It was gracious of the Yankees to offer me the use of Yankee Stadium for this apology, but I decided that next time I am in Yankee Stadium, I should be in pinstripes doing my job.”

Chuck Knoblauch could use some work when it comes to the whole “congratulating someone on an achievement” thing.

The former New York Yankees second baseman was one of many people who reached out to congratulate ex-pitcher Andy Pettitte, who will have his No. 46 retired by the team Aug. 23.

Knoblauch’s tweet of congratulations was cool and all, but it also brought up Pettitte’s checkered past. The southpaw admitted in 2007 to using human growth hormone, and for some reason, Knoblauch incorporated that while sending his best to Pettitte.

Congrats to 46. Yankees retiring his number. Hopefully they don't retire it like his HGH testimony.

Knoblauch knows all about HGH use, too. He was named in the Mitchell Report and eventually admitted his own use.

Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: MLB, New York Yankees, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/02/chuck-knoblauch-brings-up-andy-pettittes-hgh-use-while-congratulating-him/feed/00MLB: New York Yankees at Houston AstrosnesnmcoleReport: Yankees Offer A-Rod Chance To Hold Apology Press Conferencehttp://nesn.com/2015/02/report-yankees-offer-a-rod-chance-to-hold-apology-press-conference/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/report-yankees-offer-a-rod-chance-to-hold-apology-press-conference/#commentsMon, 16 Feb 2015 14:50:54 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=445435]]>
The New York Yankees placed the ball in A-Rod’s court with one restriction.

The Yankees have offered Alex Rodriguez a chance to make a public apology via a Yankee Stadium press conference, sources told the New York Daily News. The team’s preference reportedly is for Rodriguez, if he chooses, to apologize in New York rather at spring training in Tampa Bay so that it can avoid a media circus while preparing for the upcoming season.

Rodriguez reportedly met with team officials last week to apologize for his past transgressions, which culminated with a season-long, performance-enhancing drug suspension that forced the slugger to sit out all of 2014. The Yankees reportedly told A-Rod at the meeting that if he wants to also apologize to fans, the organization prefers that he not do so at spring training.

“He owes it to the Yankees fans who are paying money to see him play next year to explain himself,” a baseball official told the New York Daily News. “They deserve an explanation.”

Rodriguez has not yet responded to the Yankees’ offer, a source told the New York Daily News.

Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: MLB, New York Yankees, Ricky Doyle, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/02/report-yankees-offer-a-rod-chance-to-hold-apology-press-conference/feed/00Alex RodrigueznesnrdoyleReport: Andy Pettitte’s Number To Be Retired By New York Yankeeshttp://nesn.com/2015/02/report-andy-pettittes-number-to-be-retired-by-new-york-yankees/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/report-andy-pettittes-number-to-be-retired-by-new-york-yankees/#commentsMon, 16 Feb 2015 13:43:42 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=445416]]>
NEW YORK — A person familiar with the decision confirms the New York Yankees plan to honor Andy Pettitte this summer by retiring his No. 46 and giving the pitcher a plaque in Monument Park.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday night because the team had not yet made an announcement, which was expected in the next few days.

Pettitte’s son, Josh, posted the news on Twitter earlier Sunday and said Andy Pettitte Day at Yankee Stadium will be Aug. 23, when New York plays the Cleveland Indians.

Pettitte helped the Yankees win five World Series championships. He ranks third in team history with 219 wins and first in strikeouts with 2,020. The left-hander retired in 2013 after spending 15 of his 18 major league seasons in pinstripes.

A three-time All-Star, Pettitte was MVP of the 2001 American League Championship Series. He owns major league postseason records for wins (19) and starts (44).

Thumbnail photo via Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports Images

Filed under: MLB, New York Yankees, The Associated Press, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/02/report-andy-pettittes-number-to-be-retired-by-new-york-yankees/feed/00Former New York Yankees pitcher Andy PettittenesnstaffMatt Harvey: Alex Rodriguez’s Return To Yankees ‘Good For Baseball’http://nesn.com/2015/02/matt-harvey-alex-rodriguezs-return-to-yankees-good-for-baseball/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/matt-harvey-alex-rodriguezs-return-to-yankees-good-for-baseball/#commentsThu, 12 Feb 2015 15:59:36 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=444683]]>
There are a lot of people who would like for A-Rod to just go away. Matt Harvey is not one of them.

“Obviously Alex wants to play, that’s good for him, good for baseball,” Harvey told the New York Post this week.

Rodriguez is set to return in 2015 after serving a season-long, performance-enhancing drug suspension. There’s no telling what kind of impact he’ll have with the Yankees after such a long layoff, but the 39-year-old has been trying to make amends for his past transgressions. A-Rod met with Yankees officials on Tuesday to apologize before reporting to spring training.

“If he is that dedicated and wants to come back, then more power to him for going up to the organization like that. It shows a lot,” Harvey said. “It will be exciting to see what he can do.”

Davis, now a household name after landing on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2015 Swimsuit Issue, joined Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” this week to discuss several topics, including her growing popularity. The model also poked fun at Fallon for the host’s antics during Jeter’s final at-bat at Yankee Stadium.

Jeter, of course, hit a walk-off single in the final at-bat of his final home game in the Bronx. Fallon was on hand to witness the incredible moment and could barely contain his excitement, as Davis eloquently noted.

The New York Yankees third baseman is ready to return after a year-long suspension, and he’s got grand plans for re-entry into Major League Baseball. The polarizing star has been training with another controversial figure in Barry Bonds.

Bonds, of course, is the all-time leader in home runs, and Rodriguez recently told Bonds he’s coming for him.

“He was funny,” Bonds told the San Francisco Chronicle. “He said, ‘I want to take your record.’ I said, ‘That’s OK. If that’s what you want to do, we’ve got a lot of work to do.’ I was excited he wanted to do it.”

Here’s the thing, though. Bonds holds the record with 762 career round-trippers. Rodriguez has 564 home runs. That’s a gap of 108 homers. To put that in some sort of perspective, Rodriguez has just seven home runs since the start of the 2013 season. At 39 years old, he’s got some work to do.

There’s also no certainty Rodriguez will even have a job when the season starts. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in November that Rodriguez will have to win his job back.

Filed under: MLB, New York Yankees, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2015/02/alex-rodriguez-to-barry-bonds-i-want-to-break-your-home-run-record/feed/00MLB: Boston Red Sox at New York YankeesnesnmcoleAlex Rodriguez Meets With Yankees Brass To Apologize For His Actionshttp://nesn.com/2015/02/alex-rodriguez-meets-with-yankees-brass-to-apologize-for-his-actions/
http://nesn.com/2015/02/alex-rodriguez-meets-with-yankees-brass-to-apologize-for-his-actions/#commentsWed, 11 Feb 2015 00:34:32 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=444278]]>

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez met with top New York Yankees officials Tuesday and apologized to the team as he prepares to report to spring training following his season-long suspension for violations of baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract.

A joint statement from the Yankees and Rodriguez said the 39-year-old met at Yankee Stadium with owner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and assistant general manager Jean Afterman.

Rodriguez was accompanied by lawyer Jim Sharp.

“Alex initiated the meeting and apologized to the organization for his actions over the past several years,” the statement said. “There was an honest and frank discussion on all of the issues. As far as the Yankees are concerned, the next step is to play baseball in spring training.”

A person familiar with the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity because the release of additional details was not authorized, said the meeting lasted about 90 minutes.

The person said the Yankees said they accepted the apology but maintained that doesn’t mean the team has forgotten about Rodriguez’s actions over recent years. Team officials also said Rodriguez has to make up many things to many people.

New York opens spring training on Feb. 20 at Tampa, Fla., and Rodriguez is due to report with position players and start workouts on Feb. 26. Yankees officials told him he will be treated like any other player at spring training.

The Yankees also said their preference was that Rodriguez meet with media before the team opens spring training.

In addition, New York told Rodriguez the team does not feel obligated to give him any of up to $30 million potentially due for historic achievements, part of a marketing deal reached at the time of his $275 million, 10-year contract in December 2007. The marketing agreement calls for $6 million payments for up to five milestone accomplishments designated by the Yankees. Each payment is due within 15 days of designation and is in exchange for rights such as using Rodriguez’s name and image in selling licensed goods.

At the time of the marketing agreement, those accomplishments were contemplated to be tying the home run totals of Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762), and breaking Bonds’ major league record. Rodriguez has 654 home runs.

A failure to declare a milestone and make a payment likely would trigger a grievance on Rodriguez’s behalf by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

A three-time AL MVP who turns 40 in July, Rodriguez faces an uncertain future with the Yankees, who have said they plan to shift him from third base to designated hitter. He has not played a full season since 2007 because of leg injuries, operations on both hips and the suspension. Still, he is owed $61 million for the final three seasons of his contract.